Pancreatic cancer symptoms: Five visual warning signs in your poo – 'grey and oily'

Pancreatic cancer is a cancer that’s found anywhere in the pancreas – an organ in the top part of your tummy. Among other things, your pancreas helps you digest food and this function partly accounts for some of the symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer. When cancerous cells impair the pancreas, it can cause changes to your poo.

However, it’s important to get them checked by a GP, advises the NHS.

“This is because if they’re caused by cancer, finding it early makes it more treatable,” explains the health body.

The GP may feel your tummy and may ask you to give a pee sample or have a blood test, it adds.

Am I at risk?

Anyone can get pancreatic cancer – it’s not always clear what causes it.

“Around 20 out of 100 cases of pancreatic cancer in the UK (around 20 percent) are caused by smoking,” reports Cancer Research UK.

Studies have given mixed results but using Scandinavian snus (a type of smokeless tobacco popular in Norway and Sweden) could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Therefore the best way for people who smoke to reduce their risk of cancer and improve their overall health, is to stop smoking completely.

Other risk factors include:

• Being overweight or obese
• Family cancer syndromes and genetic factors
• Other medical conditions.